Aix-Marseille University is wooing researchers who feel targeted by the Trump administration.

The first American academics fleeing Donald Trump’s America for France have arrived.

Aix-Marseille University last week introduced eight U.S.-based researchers who were in the final stage of joining the institution’s “Safe Place for Science" program, which aims to woo researchers who have experienced or fear funding cuts under the Trump administration. AMU offers the promise of a brighter future in the sun-drenched Mediterranean port city.

While both France and the European Union have launched multimillion-euro plans to woo researchers across the pond since Trump assumed the U.S. presidency in January, AMU’s initiative was the first of its kind in the country — meaning the eight researchers who were welcomed are the first academic refugees planning to trade the United States for France.

  • Buffalox@lemmy.world
    363·
    8 hours ago

    Lower wages and lower research budgets in Europe are very tangible problems.
    The reason USA attract so many high level scientists and researchers, is that they throw more money at it.

    Despite that, I’m sure most researchers will find that you can do more with less here in Europe, both on research and with your private economy. And quality of life seems to me to be miles ahead compared to USA.

    • Whelks_chance@lemmy.world
      46·
      8 hours ago

      Cost of living is significantly lower, and the social safety net means you don’t need as much anyway.

      My gut feel is wages are so much higher in the US because everyone is responsible for looking after themselves if life turns on them, so you’re obliged to stockpile wealth in case you’re suddenly jobless or have a giant medical or education bill to contend with.

      • HeyJoe@lemmy.world
        1·
        2 hours ago

        I agree, but don’t forget that every year, things get harder because everything is trying to find more ways to take that extra money from you. From schools, companies, and government they are all figuring out ways to come up with new mandatory requirements for stuff that normally ends up being a new fee or payment on top of what you used to need. For example when you are in school, you probably need way more certifications in things which costs more money either by a 1 time fee or sometimes yearly fees and a lot of this never existed 20-30 years ago. I feel like we pay for literally everything, and it all keeps going up as well. It’s hard to get ahead when everyone wants a piece of your pie.

      • wheezy@lemmy.ml
        26·
        8 hours ago

        This. People can make more in the US because the country doesn’t give a fuck about it’s people. It’s like gambling the health and wellness of you and your family to horde up some Cash.

      • Buffalox@lemmy.world
        13·
        8 hours ago

        Absolutely free healthcare and education are big parts of doing more with less, and quality of life.
        But it’s also easier to buy a house or apartment, and quality food is cheaper, and paid holidays and on and on.
        We have so many privileges Americans don’t have it’s crazy.

      • ℍ𝕂-𝟞𝟝@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        5 hours ago

        While that is true, academic wages are still laughably low in Europe, even compared to wages here.

        You can earn more after 5 years in the industry than as a full professor in academia. We should pay academics more.

    • abrasiveteapot@sh.itjust.works
      11·
      8 hours ago

      scientists and researchers, is that they throw more money at it.

      You seem to be using the present tense there rather than the past tense. Are you sure that’s still true. I was under the impression the Bibulous Bumbling Bill had slashed research budgets (among other things like medicaid) in order to fund billionaire tax cuts.

      Not to mention the attempts to proscribe what can be researched that Harvard is currently litigating

      • Buffalox@lemmy.world
        35·
        8 hours ago

        Are you sure that’s still true

        Yes.
        A lot of the highest paying research is corporate. And despite the shit Trump is doing, the wages are still higher at for instance universities too.

        I have no idea how you can even doubt that, despite Trump is targeting everything that might be humane or to save the earth. Everything that has potential profits will probably receive more. Because USA has become very unattractive in many ways.

        • bradorsomething@ttrpg.network
          31·
          5 hours ago

          Please expand on how the highest paying research is corporate, and how that proves your point. It sounds very much like the hand-wavy stuff people say before they start yelling because they have no argument, but I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. Are you yourself a researcher?